The Jinxiang Earl's manor.
Pang Yan's son was already five years old, yet Pang Yan had not been appointed as the heir.
The memorial submitted by his father, the Jinxiang Earl, to request the appointment of an heir had been delayed by the Emperor.
The Jinxiang Earl lived in fear day by day, afraid that the title would be revoked after his death.
His grandson had always been raised by the Jinxiang Countess, and they were very close. With his own mother, however, the child was merely polite, as if separated by a veil.
One day, as the Jinxiang Countess was discussing their grandson's education with the Jinxiang Earl, the Earl sighed and said, "Qi Ge'er is intelligent and quick-witted. The fortune teller last time even said he was the reincarnation of the celestial Wenqu Star, destined for great things in the future."
"As his grandfather, I cannot even secure a title for him. I am truly unworthy."
The Jinxiang Countess scoffed, "Qi Ge'er's aunt is the Empress. His future is naturally assured, my lord, you need not worry."
The Jinxiang Earl forced himself to say, "It is our fortune that the Empress is willing to protect Qi Ge'er, but the Jinxiang Earl's title was earned by our ancestors. If it is lost, how can I face the ancestors of the Pang family in the afterlife?"
"My lord, speak your mind."
"Well, your daughter-in-law listens to you the most. Talk to her and ask her to visit the palace and speak well of us to the Empress. Everyone knows the Emperor and Empress's affection for each other. If the Empress speaks, the Emperor will surely not refuse."
"Alright."
The Jinxiang Countess readily agreed, which surprised the Jinxiang Earl.
The Jinxiang Countess sneered, "I know you only have Yan'er as your son and cherish him above all else. It's a pity this child has little promise; a mere Earl's title might be his limit. He is, after all, a child of our family and calls me mother. I still count on him to see me off in my old age. If I can help him, I will."
The Jinxiang Earl grinned, his heart overflowing with joy. He cast a greasy glance at the Jinxiang Countess and said, "You are truly the best."
The Jinxiang Countess rolled her eyes at him.
Having secured the Jinxiang Countess's agreement, the Jinxiang Earl then found Pang Yan and told him to coax Wang Qingzhu well in the coming days, to absolutely not anger her. He was also to refrain from sleeping with the other women in his courtyard for the time being and focus solely on accompanying Wang Qingzhu.
After Qi Ge'er was born, Wang Qingzhu had taken it upon herself to have him raised in the Jinxiang Countess's courtyard.
Although Pang Yan disagreed, the Jinxiang Earl later issued his decree, and Pang Yan could only comply.
In return, the Jinxiang Countess handed over the management of the Jinxiang Earl's manor to Wang Qingzhu.
Pang Yan, incorrigible, still possessed a heart that pitied the weak. Although the law stipulated that men over forty without heirs could take concubines, he was adept at exploiting loopholes, only sleeping with maids and not taking concubines or acknowledging secondary wives.
Wang Qingzhu had no desire to manage him; she let him do as he pleased.
Pang Yan, glad to be unburdened, spent his days cavorting with the maids and concubines in the manor.
The Jinxiang Countess summoned Wang Qingzhu the next day.
The day after, Wang Qingzhu submitted her request to enter the palace.
When she returned to the manor, Pang Yan eagerly inquired about the situation.
Wang Qingzhu said calmly, "Her Majesty said that our family's title will be preserved."
Pang Yan was overjoyed. He cupped Wang Qingzhu's face and kissed her, "My wife is truly capable."
He excitedly ran off to inform the Jinxiang Earl of the good news, oblivious to Wang Qingzhu behind him, who disgustedly wiped her face with a handkerchief.
The imperial decree arrived three days later.
Pang Yan specifically changed into new clothes and, with a smug expression, went to the front hall to receive the decree.
"...By imperial decree, Pang Qi, grandson of the Jinxiang Earl, is hereby appointed as the heir. The mother of the heir, Lady Wang, is conferred the rank of a third-rank Lady of Virtue..."
Pang Yan's body trembled, and his smile froze on his face.
The Jinxiang Earl was also stunned. Why would they skip Yan'er and directly grant the heirship to Qi Ge'er?
As if sensing their father and son's confusion, the eunuch who delivered the decree thoughtfully explained that the Emperor felt it was improper for a son born of a concubine to request the appointment of an heir. Although Qi Ge'er's father was a son of a concubine, Qi Ge himself was a legitimate son.
"...Even so, it was only because the Empress pleaded with the Emperor many times. The Emperor, out of respect for her, agreed," the eunuch whispered, reminding them, "Although the Emperor values Her Majesty, the events of the twenty-first year of Yongping still weigh on his mind... that person was a son of a concubine..."
"If not for the Empress's regard for her sister, your Jinxiang Earl's title might have been..."
It seemed they owed Wang Qingzhu a debt of gratitude.
The Jinxiang Earl, who had initially suspected Wang Qingzhu of foul play, now found her actions commendable.
He quickly regained his composure. His grandson was still his grandson; the important thing was that the title was preserved.
Pang Yan, however, did not possess such magnanimity.
In this manor, his father was the Jinxiang Earl, his stepmother was the Jinxiang Countess, his son was the Jinxiang Earl's heir, and his wife was a third-rank Lady of Virtue.
And he, Pang Yan, was nothing.
As soon as the eunuch left, Pang Yan's eyes rolled back, and he fainted.